Off-Duty Pilot Accused Of Attempting To Shut Off Plane Engines Mid-Flight Indicted
A grand jury has now indicted Emerson on one count of endangering an aircraft in the first degree and 83 counts of recklessly endangering another person.
The Alaska Airlines pilot who allegedly attempted to shut off the engines to a passenger plane mid-flight has been indicted.
On October 22nd, 44-year-old Joseph Emerson was off duty on the flight when he attempted to crash the plane. He claims that he had taken magic mushrooms prior to the flight and he was convinced he was dreaming and just thought if the plane crashed he would wake up.
Emerson allegedly took the mushrooms to commemorate the death of his best friend that sent him into a deep depression.
A grand jury has now indicted Emerson on one count of endangering an aircraft in the first degree and 83 counts of recklessly endangering another person, one for each person aboard the flight. He is set to be arraigned on Thursday. He also faces several similar federal charges.
